2016-2017 CHUH Quality Profile

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT QUALITY PROFILE

2016-2017

HEIGHTS 2020: THE PATH TO STUDENT SUCCESS

OVERVIEW For more than 100 years, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District has been one of the most storied, unique and successful school districts in Northeast Ohio.

We serve a vibrant, diverse community, made up of Cleveland Heights, University Heights, and a section of South Euclid.

We educate more than 5,200 students each year, from preKindergarten through 12th grade, in seven elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, a career and technical education consortium, an alternative options school, an early childhood learning center and a school for students with emotional needs.

TIGER PLEDGE

The CH-UH School District has long been known for providing

I will take responsibility for my actions and my learning.

diverse abilities and backgrounds for lifelong success. We offer

exceptional academic programs that help prepare students of

I will inspire others to do their best by leading through example.

esteemed extracurricular activities at every grade level, including

I will get assistance when I or someone else may need help.

addition to accomplished athletic teams.

I will expect respect from others.

The CH-UH School District employs a dedicated staff committed

I will respond with respect to all.

our world-renowned vocal and instrumental music programs, in

to helping all students achieve and excel. CH-UH teachers and administrators work with the nation’s foremost educational experts during professional development days and strive throughout the year to enhance classroom experiences.

Dedicated parents, family members, and school volunteers enrich the educational environment through their ongoing support. The Parent Teacher Association, Reaching Heights, city governments,

2016-17 CH-UH Board of Education (L-R): Ron Register, Eric Silverman, Jim Posch, Kal Zucker, Beverly Wright.

local businesses and many non-profit organizations play a critical role in the District’s success.

DR. TALISA L. DIXON Superintendent Dear Friends: The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District has a rich history and, over the past century, has built a reputation for exceptional academic programs, artistic and musical excellence, and winning athletic endeavors. CH-UH alumni have gone on to become captains of industry, members of the U.S. Congress, professional athletes, philanthropists, and pioneers in diverse fields such as medicine, entertainment and many more.

While much has changed since the CH-UH School District’s founding in the early 1900’s, our mission remains the same: we prepare all students for college and career by providing a challenging curriculum that connects to students’ lives and their future in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment, while ensuring value for residents and homeowners as an important part of what makes this community such a great place to call home.

I hope you find in this Quality Profile just a few indications of what makes our students, our schools and our community so special.

OUR SCHOOLS

CONTENTS

Cleveland Heights High School 2181 Miramar Boulevard University Heights, OH Temporary until 2017 216-371-7101

Gearity Professional Development Center 2323 Wrenford Road University Heights, OH 216-371-6515

2

Mission, Vision and Core Values

3

Strategic Plan Goals

4

Academics

Noble Elementary School 1293 Ardoon Street Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-6535

8

School Climate and Educational Equity

Monticello Middle School 3665 Monticello Boulevard Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-6520

9

Elementary Schools

10

Middle Schools

11

Heights High School

Roxboro Middle School 2400 Roxboro Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-7440

Oxford Elementary School 939 Quilliams Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-6525

12

Extracurricular Clubs and Activities

13

Athletics

14

Fine Arts

Boulevard Elementary School 1749 Lee Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-7140

Roxboro Elementary School 2405 Roxboro Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-7115

16

Safety and Wellness

17

Parent Involvement

18

Partnerships

Canterbury Elementary School 2530 Canterbury Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-7470

Delisle Options Center 14780 Superior Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-320-2390

19

Communications

20

Fiscal Stewardship

21

Building Our Future

Fairfax Elementary School 2150 Fairfax Road Cleveland Heights, OH 216-371-7480

Early Childhood Center 2323 Wrenford Road University Heights, OH 216-371-7356

Creidts: The 2016 Quality Profile is a publication of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights CSD Communications Department. Chief photography provided courtesy of Carl Jenks, the CH-UH Communications Office and the CH-UH archives.

DISTRICT

MISSION

VISION AND CORE VALUES

MISSION – Our schools provide a challenging and engaging education to prepare all our students to become responsible citizens and succeed in college and career.

VISION – Preparing All Students for Success in a Global Economy (P.A.S.S.A.G.E.) CORE VALUES – The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District is deeply committed to educational equity and providing an excellent education for all of our students in every one of our schools.

WITHIN A CULTURE OF TRUST, RESPECT AND INTEGRITY WE ARE COMMITTED TO OUR: STUDENTS – They know they are valued and can achieve.

DIVERSITY – It strengthens us.

PARTNERSHIPS – Collaborations that benefit our students are essential.

RESPONSIBILITY – Each of us is accountable for student success.

STEWARDSHIP – Community resources are managed wisely.

2

2016-17 Quality Profile

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY addresses the policies, practices, programs, personnel and resources required to ensure access to educational opportunity and achievement for all students.

EXCELLENT EDUCATION means students have the academic knowledge, social-emotional skills and extracurricular experiences to succeed as lifelong learners.

STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS In early 2015, the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District launched a strategic planning process designed to chart a course for the next five years and define the expectations and aspirations that will drive the District over that time.

The District will establish strategic priorities by involving those who will have implementation responsibility and taking into consideration:

GOAL 1

GOAL 2

S tudent Outcomes – Expectations, Proficiency and Mastery Every student graduates ready to pursue college and career.

Educational Approach – Equity, Empowerment and Opportunities

Excellent education is provided to each student in every District school and classroom.

GOAL 3

Parents and Community – Engagement, Partnerships and Communication

Parent and community partners are welcomed and fully engaged in supporting

GOAL 4

and enhancing student learning.

Valued Professionals and a Culture of Excellence – Caring, Quality, Diverse, Collaborative

The CH-UH City School District attracts and retains caring and highly-qualified staff with diverse experiences and backgrounds who work collaboratively.

GOAL 5

Operational Resources – Finances, Technology and Facilities

The District has the necessary finaces and infrastructure to provide an outstanding

21st century education, and keeps the community well-informed about how resources are being used for school and student performance.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

3

ACADEMIC CURRICULUM The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District provides a rigorous and engaging curriculum for students of all abilities from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade. Our curriculum focuses on helping students master four core subject areas: English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies.

CH-UH also offers World Language curriculum in Chinese, French, Spanish and American Sign Language. World Language instruction begins in elementary school, continues through the International Baccalaureate curriculum in middle school and culminates in high school to include honors and Advanced Placement courses.

4

The International Baccalaureate Program provides our schools a comprehensive plan for high quality, international education that benefits every student. Increasing the opportunities for IB education in our district is a critical part of our educational strategy for the coming years.

STEM – or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math – is a priority throughout our schools, but especially at Boulevard Elementary School and Gearity Professional Development School, the district’s STEM schools.

The Primary Years Programme focuses on the development of the whole child and provides a framework that can meet a child’s academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural needs. Students take ownership of their skills and attitudes to help prepare them for life in a global world.

The Middle Years Programme provides a comprehensive instructional framework that emphasizes rigorous study, quality assessment practices and a focus on providing relevance within a global context.

Students are engaged in designing solutions to challenges throughout the year, encouraging problem-solving skills across all subjects. Students learn by doing, and the solutions they design are one of the tools we use to assess students’ understanding of key concepts. Any student can be a STEM student even if his or her interests are not in the STEM areas of focus. Most of all, STEM students are groomed to be successful risk-takers and independent thinkers.

Currently, Canterbury Elementary, Roxboro Elementary and Roxboro Middle School are certified IB World Schools.

Monticello Middle School is expected to earn IB World certification in 2017. The District’s goal is to have five IBcertified schools by 2020.

Project Lead The Way, Ohio’s premier STEM program, is being implemented at the secondary schools to help students develop in-demand knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in an evolving world.

2016-17 Quality Profile

PRESCHOOL The Cleveland Heights-University Heights Early Childhood Program serves children 3-5 years old, including those with disabilities, who reside in the CH-UH School District. Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), CH-UH serves families with full-day and half-day classes at three locations: Gearity Professional Development School, Noble Elementary and Oxford Elementary.

We have highly-trained, degreed instructors to serve the needs of all learners through a curriculum aligned with early learning and development standards. We recognize early education is a developmental process and children learn through authentic experiences and at different rates. We respect each individual child by giving support and supervision to help each child grow social-emotionally, intellectually and physically.

DISTRICT LEARNING ESSENTIALS Our District Learning Essentials are based on Common Core State Standards, our curriculum series and teacher expertise.

The purpose of the Learning Essentials is to provide our students, staff and parents with a clear set of expectations of what students should know and be able to do when they enter a grade level and when they move to the following grade. The Learning Essentials are an important piece to reaching our academic goals for the district.

TECHNOLOGY CH-UH is focused on providing a 21st century education to all its students. The district has been at the forefront of putting innovative technology in the classroom and in the hands of students, from the latest computing devices to educational software to 3-D printers and Makerspace technology.

CH-UH is moving towards a total Google environment, and that is most evident in the classroom. More than 2,500 new Chromebooks have been distributed to students throughout the district. These devices integrate seamlessly with Google Apps for Education, which enhances collaboration and communication among students, teachers and parents.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS The English Language (EL) program provides English language support and helps international students and families with understanding school procedures and American customs. The District EL team serves more than 125 immigrant students in the CH-UH District, and partners with community organizations to offer support and school-related information to the students and parents. The EL team also works with the teaching staff to help them understand the perspective of immigrant students.

Noble Elementary School serves a high population of Bhutanese refugees and uses its Peer to Peer Mentoring Program as both an educational asset and a community building tool for this group. The program at Noble pairs an EL student with a native English speaker who needs extra help in literacy. Native students benefit from the repeated practice of language skills, while also acting as role models. EL students gain a natural entry into English from someone their own age and a cultural lesson at the same time.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

5

STUDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS AND COLLEGE CREDIT IN ALL 14 UNIQUE CTE PATHWAYS: Audio Engineering Automotive Technology Business Management Technology Clinical Health Careers Computer Networking Technology Cosmetology Criminal Justice Digital Video Production Exercise Science and Sports Medicine Family and Consumer Science Firefighting/EMT Graphic Imaging Technology Pharmacy Technician Marketing Management

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION Career and Technical Education (CTE) offers a strong academic and technical education to prepare students for both college and career. The courses are offered through the Tri-Heights Career Prep Consortium, which includes Cleveland Heights, Shaker Heights, and Warrensville Heights high schools.

The mission of the Tri-Heights Career Prep Consortium is to prepare students for the ever-changing workforce by developing requisite knowledge and skills for employment and post-secondary education. We provide a career-focused education that fully integrates rigorous academics to meet the needs of all learners and strengthen the community.

OPTIONS PROGRAM The Options Program is an alternative high school, located in the Delisle Center building, which provides choices and self-paced learning opportunities for CH-UH students. In the past five years, the Options Program has provided a platform for more than 200 students to graduate and earn their high school diploma.

The Options staff places a premium on maintaining an environment that supports and encourages students to grow academically and socially. The half-day format provides flexibility for students who have responsibilities outside of school. Opportunities for leadership development, community service, travel and mentoring help students discover the world and explore their place in it.

COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS Students can earn college credit while staying on the Heights High School campus by taking dual enrollment courses offered at the high school, including College Composition I and II, Introduction to American Studies and African American Studies.

The courses are taught by Heights High teachers in partnership with local colleges. There is no cost to families for the CCP program or courses.

The College Credit Plus program also invites students to attend classes at local colleges and universities for both college and high school credit.

6

2016-17 Quality Profile

GIFTED PROGRAMMING CH-UH gifted programming nurtures students’ unique socialemotional and intellectual needs related to giftedness while providing an environment that fosters 21st century skills. We strive to support the strengths and needs of gifted learners in collaboration with students and families for success in a global society. The district supports its mission through the integration of creative and critical thinking, communication and collaboration, social and emotional needs and selfdirected learning.

A student is identified as gifted based upon nationally-normed standardized tests administered by the school district. A student may be identified as gifted in the areas of cognitive ability, specific academic ability (math, science, reading and social studies), creative thinking ability, and visual or performing arts ability. The CH-UH City School District ensures equal opportunity of students identified as gifted in specific areas to receive services offered by the district.

SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMMING The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is committed to providing high quality teaching and learning experiences that improve the quality of life for children and youth with special needs. Special needs includes students served in special education or through a 504 plan.

CH-UH offers a full continuum of services to students with special needs. This continuum includes, but is not limited to, specially-designed instruction and related services, full inclusion, consultation, co-teaching, resource classrooms, specialized classrooms and transition services.

CURRICULUM NIGHT FORUM FOR SPECIAL NEEDS FAMILIES CH-UH hosts Q&A sessions for families of students with special needs during each school’s annual Curriculum Night. These sessions occur directly before the general curriculum night programming so families can participate in both parts of the evening. Specialists from all service areas are available to answer questions.

PARENT MENTOR FOR FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS CH-UH is proud to partner with Reaching Heights to provide a Parent Mentor for families of students with special needs. This mentor provides an enhanced level of support for parents in the Special Education process, advocating for students and helping families navigate the rules and regulations pertaining to serving special needs. The mentor’s services include: • Support for families in-person, by email or over the phone to answer questions and concerns about the special education process • Guidance and information about the IEP process • Preparation and support for IEP meetings • Resources relating to special education in our community • Community engagement events, workshops and special events.

SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOL REPRESENTATIVES CH-UH partners with The Exceptional Children’s Advocacy Group, which hosts a Special Education Parent Representative in each school building. This means that families have on-theground support when they have questions, need direction, a friend to commiserate with or simply a friendly face.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS CH-UH is deeply committed to the Special Olympics. Our students ages 8 and up have a chance to represent Tiger Nation in a range of events including bowling, bocce and track & field. CH-UH looks forward to recruiting more Olympians each year and expanding our participation in this fantastic event.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

7

SCHOOL CLIMATE AND EDUCATIONAL EQUITY The goal of the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is to provide a safe, respectful and welcoming learning environment. It is our belief that the best schools are those that foster a climate of support and respect and those that instill a sense of community among its students, families and staff.

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY POLICY

SCHOOL CLIMATE

Closing the achievement gap, while raising achievement for all students, is a top priority of the Board of Education, the Superintendent and all District staff. Race must cease to be a predictor of student achievement and success.

Disparities between white students and students of color on state assessments are directly at odds with our belief that all students can achieve. Rather than perpetuate disparities, the District has chosen to address and overcome this institutional inequity by providing all students with the support and opportunity to succeed.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is our district’s commitment to encouraging good behavior through prevention, rather than an exclusive reliance on punishment.

PBIS is a schoolwide approach to make schools safe and promote positive behavior. It’s also a way for schools to decide how to respond to a child who misbehaves. In a school with a traditional approach to discipline, teachers may try to correct behavior through punishment. By contrast, in a school using PBIS, the focus is on preventing problems. From the start, students learn about what behavior is appropriate, just like they learn math or science. Students are taught social skills, including how to act in different settings, such as the classroom, on the bus or with friends. They may learn through role-playing or through actual lessons.

In August 2016, the CH-UH Board of Education approved the district’s Educational Equity Policy. The concept of educational equity goes beyond general principles of equality–where all students are treated the same–to fostering a barrier-free environment where all students, regardless of their race, class or other personal characteristics have the opportunity to benefit equally from their education.

TIGER PROUD & BULLY FREE CH-UH is committed to creating and maintaining a safe, bully free environment in all of our schools. It is of the highest importance to provide a safe environment for all students to be educated academically, to learn appropriate social and behavioral skills, and develop as strong, educated students ready to achieve success in all areas of their lives. The district’s Tiger Proud & Bully Free Handbook includes strategies and resources for parents and students to help prevent and address bullying issues.

CH-UH Recognized by U.S. Department of Education

Heights High Welcomes Foreign Exchange Students

The district was recognized in 2016 by the U.S. Department of Education for fully reflecting America’s diversity at the highest levels of K-12 schools by equally including students of all backgrounds in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses. CH-UH was honored in large part as a result of its partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools, which has assisted the district in providing equitable academic opportunities to all students, especially in regards to access and support for minorities taking AP courses.

Heights High School hosts several foreign exchange students annually through the AFS Intercultural Program. In 2015-2016, Heights welcomed eight foreign exchange students, each bringing their own unique international experiences to the classroom. The 2015-2016 AFS students were from Germany, Egypt, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, Paraguay, Uruguay and Thailand. The exchange students belong to the AFS Club and are joined by several immigrant and native-born students who meet regularly.

8

2016-17 Quality Profile

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS Our elementary schools lay the foundation necessary for students to grow and become successful as they navigate the higher grade levels. CH-UH educates approximately 2,300 students in grades K-5 across seven elementary schools. Each school offers high quality education and access to an abundance of diverse resources, allowing our students to leave elementary school well-equipped for middle school and beyond.

The district’s core elementary curriculum consists of English Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Students also receive instruction in physical education, music and art. World language curriculum is offered at five elementary schools: Spanish is offered at Canterbury, Fairfax, Noble and Oxford, while Chinese is offered at Roxboro Elementary.

STEM SCHOOLS

IB SCHOOLS

Boulevard and Gearity are the district’s STEM schools which infuse science, technology, engineering and math into all of their instruction. STEM students are engaged in designing solutions to challenges throughout the year, encouraging problem-solving skills across all subjects.

Roxboro and Canterbury are certified International Baccalaureate (IB) schools for the Primary Years Programme, which focuses on the development of the whole child and provides a framework that can meet a child’s academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural needs. Students take ownership of their skills and attitudes to help prepare them for life in a global world.

Gearity features its own MakerSpace, which opened in 2015, with eight 3D printers, a laser cutter, a vinyl cutter, a t-shirt press and numerous computers as well as low-tech design materials like art supplies, recyclables and Legos.

Fairfax Elementary student James Greene spearheaded an effort to collect bottled water to send to families in Flint, Michigan.

Elementary students get their hands dirty in the classroom with the District’s outdoor learning initiatives that connect the outdoors to classroom curriculum.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

9

MIDDLE SCHOOLS The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District offers an extensive academic curriculum and extracurricular activities for its 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Monticello and Roxboro middle schools.

The District serves more than 1,200 students between the two middle schools, which act as “bridges” to help students cross over from one stage of education to the next. It is an exciting and essential link in the educational chain. Students in this age group (generally 11 – 14 years) have special developmental needs that are unlike those of typical elementary school students or high school students. Middle school students are changing rapidly – physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially.

We offer several programs designed specifically for the needs of middle schoolers: The Middle School Scholars Program (MSSP), offered for identified gifted students in grades 6-8; the Accelerated Math and the Honors Language Arts Program, seeking to provide challenging and enriching opportunities for our most capable and gifted students; and Special Education at Monticello and Roxboro for students identified as having special education needs.

Monticello Middle School student Maple Buescher served as one of 10 Kid Reporters nationwide for Time for Kids and covered the Republican National Convention for the publication.

The district’s core middle school curriculum consists of English Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Math with high school credit available in algebra, geometry and world language. Students also take courses in physical education, music and art, including graphic art, vocal music, orchestra and band. The world language curriculum includes courses in Chinese, Spanish and American Sign Language with options to earn high school credit.

IB MIDDLE YEARS PROGRAMME Roxboro is an authorized International Baccalaureate (IB) World School for the Middle Years Programme, while Monticello is expected to earn authorization in 2017. IB World Schools have a common philosophy – a commitment to high-quality, challenging, and international education that we believe is important for our students.

The IB Middle Years Programme focuses on the total growth of the developing child, touching hearts as well as minds and encompassing social, physical, emotional, and cultural needs in addition to academic development.

10

2016-17 Quality Profile

HIGH SCHOOL Our goal at Cleveland Heights High School is that students are well prepared to graduate with the confidence that they can achieve anything they put their mind to. We focus on making sure each student feels they have an outlet to develop their skills and individual passions, in both academic and extracurricular settings. For students who have a clear sense of their career path following graduation, Heights High offers opportunities to get a head start, through our Career and Technical Education and College Credit Plus programs.

Heights High is a comprehensive high school with approximately 1,600 students. All students have access to a rigorous, engaging curriculum that will prepare them to pursue college and career. The school’s leaders, teachers and support staff understand that strong relationships between students and staff are the conduit for effective teaching and learning. The staff works hard to build trusting, respectful and positive relationships with students.

The staff also believes that students who form strong and healthy bonds with other students are happier in school and more open to learning. We strongly urge all students to join at least one after school activity to broaden their networks, learn leadership skills and experience the joy of contributing to a shared mission.

Heights High School offers 20 Advanced Placement courses, available in English, math, science, social studies, world language, economics, art and music. Interesting and engaging electives are also offered, including Lessons of the Holocaust, African American Literature and Political Philosophy. The high school curriculum and course offerings are diverse and varied across multiple disciplines, allowing each student to take classes that are both rigorous and personally engaging.

We believe that getting involved in extracurricular activities is important for students to explore their interests, cultivate passion, and strengthen their resumes.

With roughly 30 student clubs and 26 athletics programs, there is no shortage of opportunities for students to get involved. Between Student Council, Chess Club, Drama Club, Fashion Club, National Honor Society, Yearbook, Track & Field, and many more, there is something for everyone.

HEIGHTS HIGH IN 2017 Cleveland Heights High School is temporarily located at 2181 Miramar Boulevard in University Heights, the former location of Wiley Middle School while the existing high school is undergoing a complete renovation.

In the fall of 2017, students will return to a renovated building at the corner of Cedar and Lee roads in Cleveland Heights. The new facility will retain the architectural integrity of the 1926 building with an all new interior and additions that will meet the needs of students today and for many years to come.

AVID The AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) program offers support for students who are college-bound and are looking for ways to strengthen their organizational and academic skills. Many students in AVID will be the first in their family to go to college, while others simply want to benefit from working with tutors and the AVID focus on establishing a strong foundation for success in college and beyond.

MSAN CH-UH is a founding member of The Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN), a national organization that encourages and supports minority student participation in Advanced Placement and Honors courses.

MSAN events include after school guest speakers, student forums and discussion panels focused on increasing minority student achievement.

2016 Rio Olympian Charles Conwell.

Holocaust survivor Roman Frayman with Heights High students.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

11

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is renowned for the variety and quality of its extracurricular activities, in which an overwhelming majority of students across the district participate every year.

HIGH SCHOOL CLUBS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AFS Intercultural Programs Audio Engineering Chess Club Drama/Theater Club Educators Rising (Future Educators) Fashion Club Future Leading Youth Gay Student Alliance Gospel Choir Hall of Fame Image Makers Japanese/Asian Culture Jewish Student Union Leading Ladies Marching Band Model United Nations Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN)

National Honor Society National Technical Honor Society Newspaper Project Support Robotics Club SADD Science Olympiad Ski & Snowboard Club Student Ambassadors Student Council Superintendent’s Cadre Swim Cadets (Synchronized Swimming) TV Production Club Tri-M Yearbook

MIDDLE SCHOOL CLUBS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Art Club AVID Challenge Choir Drama Club E.L.I.T.E. Gentlemen Environmental Club Frisbee Club Honors Choir Leading Ladies Model UN Minority Student Achievement Network (MSAN)

Middle School Scholars Program (MSSP) Mug Club National Junior Honor Society Newspaper Power of the Pen Robotics Science Olympiad Ski Club Spelling Club Student Council Yearbook

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLUBS AND EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES Art Club Badminton Club Band Basketball Club Before/After School Care Bike Club Bocce Ball Book Club Boys and Girls Club Chess Club Choir Cub Scouts Dance Drama Families and Students Together (F.A.S.T.) Girl Scouts Girls on the Run Grief Club Jump Rope Club Karate Let Me Run! Many Villages Tutoring Media Program

12

2016-17 Quality Profile

Mighty Males of Oxford Movie Making Club Musicians Garden Noble Gents to Gentlemen Orchestra Oxford Scholars Partnership in Reading Peer Mediation Pottery Safety Patrol Scholarly Men School Ambassadors School Food Market School Supply Store Scrabble Club Ski Club Snapology Student Council Tumbling Ultimate Frisbee Video Announcements Young Gentlemen’s Club

HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS Fall Sports Cheerleading Cross Country (Boys & Girls) Field Hockey Football Golf (Boys & Girls) Soccer (Boys & Girls) Tennis (Girls) Volleyball

Winter Sports Basketball (Boys & Girls) Bowling (Co-ed) Cheerleading Ice Hockey Swimming and Diving (Boys & Girls) Wrestling

Spring Sports Baseball Lacrosse (Boys & Girls) Softball Tennis (Boys) Track & Field (Boys & Girls)

MIDDLE SCHOOL ATHLETICS 7TH AND 8TH GRADE Fall Sports Cross Country (Co-ed) Football Soccer (Co-ed) Volleyball Tennis (Girls)

Winter Sports Basketball (Boys & Girls) Cheerleading Wrestling

Spring Sports Baseball Lacrosse (Boys & Girls) Softball Tennis (Boys) Track & Field (Boys & Girls)

ATHLETICS CLEVELAND HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL FIELDS 26 ATHLETIC PROGRAMS THAT COMPETE AT THE DIVISION I LEVEL IN THE LAKE ERIE LEAGUE AND THE OHIO HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION. STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN AT LEAST ONE SPORT TO IMPROVE THEIR PHYSICAL HEALTH, MEET OTHER STUDENTS AND LEARN THE VALUE OF BEING PART OF A TEAM.

Approximately 800 students at the middle school and high school levels combined compete in interscholastic athletics for the Tigers.

We embrace the true meaning of the student athlete emphasizing the importance of academic achievement, while learning how to achieve success as a unit. Our Learning Center has tutoring available for all studentathletes. Attendance is required for those student-athletes who are struggling in their classes based on set guidelines.

Many of our teams lead service projects to give back to our school and community, including food drives, leaf raking and volunteering.

Members of an athletic team learn important social and emotional skills like how to work for the greater good, how to lead and follow, organizational skills and the selfconfidence gained from setting goals, working hard and seeing measurable improvement.

Many of our student-athletes go on to compete at the collegiate level, earning scholarships to NCAA, NAIA and Junior College institutions.

We look forward to seeing you on the field, track, course, court, lanes, rink, pool or diamond and as always, GO TIGERS!

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

13

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS IS HOME TO THE ARTS VISUAL ARTS IS A KEY COMPONENT TO THE DISTRICT’S EDUCATIONAL

MISSION

FROM

ELEMENTARY

SCHOOL

THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. ALL ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE EXPOSED TO VISUAL ARTS AND THEN ENCOUNTER A WIDE ARRAY OF OPTIONS AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL.

The courses offered in the Visual Arts Department at Heights High include Introduction to Art, Photography, Ceramics and Crafts, Studio Art, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, and Advanced Placement Studio Art. CH-UH students at all levels routinely win awards in the Scholastic Art Awards competition and other local and regional art competitions.

The Art Department welcomes novice art students and also prepares advanced students for entrance into art institutes and universities.

Besides the art curriculum, students are also active in the Art Club, working with local artists to design murals and other public art.

14

2016-17 Quality Profile

FINE & PERFORMING ARTS Music is an important part of life for many students in the CH-UH district. Students who plan to make a career of music excel and thrive in the instrumental and vocal programs at the high school. However, while the majority of musicians will not play professionally after graduation, many students find that the challenge and camaraderie of playing music fills an important part of their life.

Individuals and groups in the instrumental and vocal music departments regularly win local, state and national awards for their performances. Academic courses in the Instrumental and Vocal Music departments include Choir, Guitar, African American Music, Jazz, Chamber Music, Band, Orchestra and Advanced Placement Music Theory.

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC The Instrumental Music Department offers courses and activities for entry level students and also for accomplished musicians. The opportunities include large and small groups, audition experiences, spring tours and performances in the school’s auditorium and in the community.

Students can play in entry level bands and symphony or audition for the more skilled groups, including the Heights High Symphony, Symphonic Winds Band, Jazz Combo and Jazz Ensemble. Non-audition groups include Concert Orchestra, Marching Band, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band, each of which is open to all students.

The department sponsors an annual spring tour where the groups perform at different venues, participate in workshops and take tours at a college or university.

Students also perform in ensemble groups, which are smaller groups coached by a trained music teacher that perform at school concerts and events in the community.

VOCAL MUSIC Opportunities in the Vocal Music Department include performing in large and small groups, audition experiences, dancing instruction, spring tours and performances in the school’s auditorium and in the community. Vocal Music students sing in local and regional competitions, for civic and holiday events, on television and in concerts at the high school.

Vocal Music groups include the A Cappella Choir, Heights Singers, Barbershoppers and Men’s and Women’s Chorus. Many pieces performed by the groups include movement and dance routines in addition to singing.

The Barbershoppers groups are often sought after to perform in local events, in addition to the International Barbershop Convention. The groups perform traditional Barbershop style songs as well as contemporary music.

FALL MUSICAL PRODUCTION Cleveland Heights High School is known for its annual fall musical which features the Vocal Music Department students as the ensemble of singers, dancers and actors. In order to produce the fall musical, the Vocal Music Department partners with the Instrumental Music Department, Stage Crew, and Audio Engineering students to create a student-based pit orchestra, set design and audio design.

In the past five years, Heights has performed ​​Grease (2015), Guys and Dolls (2014), Hello Dolly (2013), Phantom of the Opera (2012), and The Sound of Music (2011). Other recent productions include: Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, and West Side Story.

Preparation for each year’s musical begins before the school year has even started, with students memorizing lines and song literature. After the audition process is complete, the production goes into full swing. The Instrumental and Vocal Departments combine with the Stage Crew and Audio Engineering classes to ensure student involvement in all aspects of the show. After months of hard work and dedication, the annual musical is performed for four nights.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

15

SAFETY & WELLNESS All CH-UH students, in every district school building from pre-K through 12, regardless of family income level, receive a healthy breakfast and lunch at no charge each day.

The district is striving to eliminate hunger as a barrier to academic success by providing this service to families, cost-free to the district through the Community Eligibility Provision. Students receive high-quality meals provided by AVI Fresh, the district’s food service partner, whose fresh food forward approach combines high-levels of culinary talent, increased menu variety, chef-inspired diverse dishes and outstanding customer service to bring the student dining experience to a new level of excellence.

SCHOOL NURSES The district’s staff of school nurses supports CH-UH students in their education by promoting physical and emotional health and wellness. Nurses identify and treat medical issues and injuries, conduct health screenings, and support students as they self-monitor and manage their conditions. Nurses are often the first responder when a student or staff member is injured or has a medical or psychological crisis.

Besides treating physical ailments, nurses also address student mental health concerns. The nurses partner with school social workers and often refer students and families to community support services.

Most importantly, the CH-UH school nurses are there to listen to students and figure out how they can help.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Emergency plans and procedures are standardized throughout the district. All staff is trained on the procedures and is required to participate in school-wide drills to familiarize themselves with the nature of an emergency response.

CH-UH also maintains a collaborative partnership with local police and fire departments. These safety forces meet regularly with school officials in a proactive environment to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff.

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING A safe, respectful and responsible school environment begins with students, who are encouraged to “See Something, Say Something” by reporting suspicious behavior or activities immediately to a staff member. The Safe School Helpline is also available for students to call if they know of anyone threatening violence or bullying. All calls are confidential and anonymous. Safe School Helpline numbers are posted in each of our school buildings.

16

2016-17 Quality Profile

PARENT INVOLVEMENT The CH-UH School District recognizes that parents play an important role in the education of their children. Learning does not just happen in the classroom; rather it continues throughout the day as children return home to their families.

Parent engagement and involvement are key components to the district’s mission and vision. The district provides many opportunities for parents to become actively involved in the education of their children, be it through valuable partnerships or school-based events and activities.

Strengthening the bond between our schools and our parents is paramount to the success of our district.

PARENT TEACHER ASSOCIATION The CH-UH Council of PTAs includes representatives from each of the individual school’s Parent Teacher Association (PTA) groups. The Council has established a great relationship with the school district over the years, and its current mission is to enhance that relationship with the exciting hope of re-engaging our district’s parents, staff, volunteers, community and board members.

CH-UH parents are encouraged to be actively involved in their school’s PTA, which organizes and hosts various events and gatherings throughout the year.

PTA groups serve as a valuable resource in connecting and engaging parents with their respective schools.

LINK: UNITING SCHOOL, HOME, AND COMMUNITY The district collaborates with Link Education Consulting to provide avenues of support for parents through building community, providing information, and fostering strong connections.

In Link study groups, parents discuss what to expect at each stage of their child’s development, share ideas for creating a robust learning environment at home, and explore methods for communicating effectively with teachers and schools as they partner with them to support their children’s success.

Link offers four different programs for CH-UH parents:

Parent Ambassadors Parent Book Club Parents in the Middle Parents on the Edge

FAMILY CONNECTIONS CH-UH is fortunate to partner with Cleveland Heights-based Family Connections, which has been providing early literacy, parenting support and school readiness services to Greater Cleveland families for more than 30 years.

The services begin for parents when their children are newborns, and continue through kindergarten.

Family Connections hosts various free programs for families at CH-UH elementary schools during the year, including Kindergarten Kick-Off and Bridge Into First Grade orientation events.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

17

PARTNERSHIPS The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District highly values our partnerships with community organizations, businesses, higher academic institutions, non-profits and local municipalities. As a key member of the Cleveland Heights, University Heights and South Euclid communities, as well as a strong member of the Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio region, the district is committed to establishing mutually-beneficial partnerships that will provide educational and enrichment opportunities for its students and staff.

REACHING HEIGHTS

CLEVELAND CLINIC

Reaching Heights is one of the district’s most valued and longstanding partners. Reaching Heights is a community non-profit that supports excellent public education in the CH-UH School District. Funded by individual donors and foundations, Reaching Heights coordinates programs, events and forums that inform and connect the community to the public schools.

CH-UH is proud to partner with one of the leading hospitals in the world. The district’s partnership with the Cleveland Clinic includes two important programs that help eliminate barriers to students’ success. Each month, the Cleveland Clinic’s Mobile Unit visits three CH-UH schools— Boulevard Elementary, Oxford Elementary and Heights High—to provide convenient access to medical care for all CH-UH students.

Reaching Heights hosts annual events such as the Summer Music Camp and the Adult Community Spelling Bee, in addition to the quadrennial Reaching Musical Heights concert that allows CH-UH students the opportunity to perform at the renowned Severance Hall.

The district also serves as a pilot program for the Cleveland Clinic’s Telehealth initiative, which allows Heights High students to gain access to doctors who can provide diagnosis and treatment options via video chat.

The organization’s Many Villages Tutoring Program provides trained tutors in elementary schools that work on targeted early reading skills needed by young students.

GREATER CLEVELAND FOOD BANK

Reaching Heights also facilitates meaningful connections with its Community Care Teams, which seek to connect resources and organizations already serving our schools with each other.

All CH-UH community members have the opportunity to receive fresh produce and pantry items each month at Boulevard Elementary and Oxford Elementary, as part of the district’s participation in the Greater Cleveland Food Bank School Market program.

At each School Market distribution, approximately 5,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with shelfstable products such as whole wheat pasta and beans, are distributed for free to families in need. Additionally, these distributions often include nutrition education, health and wellness activities and food demonstrations.

18

2016-17 Quality Profile

COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District believes that effective communications are important to building productive relationships with parents, students, staff and community members. The district uses a variety of communication tools to reach each of these groups, both digitally and offline.

The Communications Office is the liaison between the District and the community, ensuring that families, residents, and media outlets all receive timely and accurate information about our schools. The Communications Office works closely with the media to deliver important information and promote student and staff accomplishments. Through newsletters, social media, calendars, profile sheets, and other specialized publications, we highlight the District’s educational initiatives and work to keep families and residents informed.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL MEDIA Our website, chuh.org, is the primary source of information for the district and its schools. With more than 3 million page views each year, the website is a valuable resource in the district’s effort to provide the most comprehensive information available.

CH-UH is active on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube with daily posts to keep followers updated with the latest information and accomplishments. Be sure to follow or like us on social media and stay connected with what’s happening in CH-UH.

INFINITE CAMPUS Infinite Campus is an extremely important tool for parents and guardians. It is the official grade book for the District and also allows parents to check their students’ attendance, assignments, and academic progress. It serves as an excellent way to communicate with a student’s teachers as well. Families can receive important school and emergency-related information via phone call, text message and email.

CHANNEL 22 The district records many events throughout the year, including student concerts, programs, athletic events and board meetings. These productions are available to watch on Time Warner Cable Channel 22, the district’s public access station.

TOP 10 FACEBOOK POSTS FACEBOOK.COM/CHUH.SCHOOLS The CH-UH Facebook page reaches a wide audience with timely information about the district and its schools. Here are some of the top posts from the past year.

1

All CHUH Students to Receive Breakfast and Lunch at No Charge 97,608 people reached

2

HHS Lobby Virtual Flythrough Video 35,045 people reached

3

Three Students are Angels in the Hallway 28,697 people reached

4

Heights Senior Boxer Wins Olympic Trials 22,357 people reached

5

HHS Alum Charles Conwell to Compete in First Olympic Bout 8,314 people reached

Construction Progress Video 6 CHHS 7,059 people reached

7

Canterbury Elementary Named “High Progress School of Honor” 6,155 people reached

Hockey Wins Baron Cup 8 Heights Championship 5,498 people reached

8th Grader Selected to Play 9 Roxboro for USA National Futsal Team 4,837 people reached

Barbershoppers Put On Special 10 Heights Performance 4,775 people reached

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

19

FISCAL STEWARDSHIP The Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District is committed to pursuing our educational mission while ensuring that we are making responsible use of our community’s resources.

As part of that commitment, we ensure that fiscal operations are transparent, and that our community is regularly informed of our financial status and projections.

The district has received the Certificate of Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Association of School Business Officials for 16 straight years. The Certificate of Achievement is one of the highest forms of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting.

CH-UH has also been honored for each of the past 16 years with the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States for the district’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) report.

District Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Scott Gainer is also regularly recognized as one of the finest school district financial officers in Ohio, with honors including Government CFO of the Year for Greater Cleveland and Outstanding Treasurer/CFO of the Year for the state of Ohio.

FOR EACH DOLLAR SPENT 62%

60%

Instruction and Pupil Support

Local

17% Administration

20

SOURCES OF SCHOOL REVENUE

28% State

16%

6%

Building Operations

Federal

5%

6%

Staff Support

Other Non-Tax

2016-17 Quality Profile

FACILITIES MASTER FACILITIES PLAN The Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District is currently conducting one of the most exciting and far-reaching projects in its 100+ year history: Phase 1 of the School Facilities Renovation Plan.

The community’s overwhelming passage (59% in favor) of Issue 81 in 2013 paved the way to launch a $155 million revitalization effort that will completely renovate Cleveland Heights High School and two of the District’s middle schools (Monticello and Roxboro), replacing outdated and costly building systems and updating the schools to operate efficiently in the 21st century. Work on the high school will be completed in 2017, and the middle school renovations will be finished in 2019.

HEIGHTS HIGH RENOVATION The renovation of Cleveland Heights High School will be completed in time for the start of the 2017-2018 school year, giving CHUH one of the premier educational facilities in the state. Important historic and architectural aspects of the building have been retained, such as the iconic clock tower and brick facade, but the building has experienced a transformation into a true 21st century learning space. Completely modernized from the ground up, classrooms and labs will be state-of-the-art, while musical, performing, and visual arts will have brand new dedicated spaces. Student-athletes and physical education classes will have access to the latest athletic facilities and equipment, including a new eight-lane swimming pool.

HEIGHTS HIGH IN 2017 The most dramatic change to Heights High is the removal of the 1960s-era science wing, returning the front courtyard to the look of a collegiate quadrangle, with restoration and a new open front lawn for school and community activities.

Heights High’s historic clock tower will be restored to its original beauty as the signature image of the district. The restoration, which includes a return to the historic clock face and hands, will ensure that the tower retains its quality well into the future.

The ornate 1,000-seat 1926 auditorium is being restored with new seating, mechanical systems, stage rigging and renovated decor. The “back of house” will be all new, ideal not only for concerts, recitals and plays, but also a learning space for career tech programs.

Science classrooms from the 1960s are being replaced with ones designed for the 21st century and are located in the main building, no longer housed in a separate wing, to allow for interdisciplinary instruction.

State-of-the-art career and technical education classrooms will be located throughout the building, featuring new spaces for programs in audio engineering, clinical health careers, cosmetology, digital video production and exercise science, to name a few.

New indoor athletic spaces include a competition gym and practice gym, an 8-lane pool, weight room and locker rooms. Outside, Heights High will have new fields for both baseball and softball, with the orientation of the baseball field changed to maximize the size of the outfield.

Not just black and gold, Heights will be “green” for sustainability. With a hybrid geothermal system, solarready roof and energy-efficient windows, Heights will be LEED Silver certified, going from the bottom 10% for energy efficiency among peer buildings to the top 5%.

CH-UH City Schools | CHUH.ORG

21

Non Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Cleveland, OH Permit No. 4114

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS-UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT 2155 Miramar Boulevard | University Heights, OH 44118 www.chuh.org

STAY

CONNECTED

TO THE CH- UH CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT

Visit CHUH.org for the most up-to-date District news, lunch menus, event calendars and more!

/CHUH.Schools

/CHUHSchools

/CHUHSchools

campus.CHUH.org

Sign up @ CHUH.org